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Blue HillsReservation
Blue Hills Reservation695 Hillside StreetMilton, MA 02186(617) 698-1802
2020 TRAIL MAP
Welcome to DCR’s Blue Hills Reservation
Stretching from Dedham to Quincy, and Milton to Randolph, the Blue Hills Reservation encompasses over 7,000 acres, providing the largest open space within 35 miles of Boston. More than 120 miles of trails weave through the natural fabric of forest and ponds, hilltops and wetlands. Hikers can count 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain with Great Blue Hill noted as the highest summit at 635 feet above sea level. Visitors may enjoy numerous outdoor activities including hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, and savoring nature in this four-season park.
About DCRThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of
Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is steward to over 450,000 acres of forests, parks, greenways, trails, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, beaches, ponds, reservoirs, and watersheds. The DCR serves to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all; and to cooperate and partner with those who share this common purpose. To learn about DCR and discover more about the parks, programs, and recreational opportunities within Massachusetts state parks, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr or contact us at mass.parks@mass.gov .
MAP PR I NTED COU R T ES Y O F MA SS AUD UBON’S BLUE H ILLS TRA I LS I DE MU SEU M. A L L PR OC EED S FUND TH E
PR INT I NG O F ADDI T IO NAL BLUE H IL L S MA PS .
Roosevelt’s Tree ArmyIn 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the creation of an emer-gency conservation work program, which became known as the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC. This program was designed to provide employment for many young men who were out of work, and to improve the country’s forest and recreational resources.
Here in the Blue Hills, the Civilian Conservation Corps lived and labored from 1933 to 1937, adding two stone obser-vation towers, ski runs at Great Blue Hill, miles of trails, and numerous other features to the reservation. Nature is rapidly overtaking the concrete foundations and remains of the CCC camp located east of Randolph Avenue, but the good works live on, a testament to sweat and stone.
quarried in the Blue Hills have been found at sites through-out Massachusetts. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is named in honor of these first people of the hills.
Charles Eliot & the Parks SystemVisionary landscape architect Charles Eliot was a major
force behind the creation of the Blue Hills Reservation, one of the first acquisitions of the new Metropolitan Parks System in 1893. Eliot’s idea was to set aside beachfront by the bay, land along the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers, and high ground throughout the Boston metropolitan area. Today, this regional park system has grown statewide to include more than 450,000 acres of open space across Massachusetts, a legacy we must protect and preserve. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Boston skyline from the Eliot Memorial Observation Tower atop Great Blue Hill and offer thanks to one of the founding fathers of the Metropolitan Parks System, who “sought out hill, forest, shore for all to enjoy.”
The Faces and PlacesWith high vantage points, proximity to the Neponset
River, easy access to the coastline and harbor islands, and an abundance of year-round resources, the Blue Hills have been attracting people throughout the ages. Today, DCR’s Blue Hills Reservation is rich in both archaeological and historic resources. Interesting structures and other traces of our past include artifacts of the First People, cellar holes and fruit trees of early settlers, legacies of the granite industry at the Quincy quarries, and observation towers and trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Enriching the park are more than 50 prehistoric sites, 15 historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a National Historic Landmark—the Blue Hills Meteorological Observatory.
The People of the Great HillsThe First People in this region called themselves the
Massachuseuk, which translates to “people living near the great hills.” The Massachuseuk people followed a way of life closely tied to the natural rhythms of the seasons. Small fam-ily groups moved within the Blue Hills and Neponset River area harvesting nuts and berries, cultivating corn, beans, and squash, and fishing and hunting among the bays, rivers, and uplands.
The Massachuseuk lived in balance with nature. Their seasonal movements meant that no single resource was overexploited. Their survival depended upon a keen knowl-edge of local flora and fauna and the changing environ-ment. Hornfels, a brown volcanic rock found in the Blue Hills, was crafted into tools. Artifacts made from materials
Wet and Wild Ponkapoag BogPonkapoag Bog, in the southwest section of the park, is a
unique and mysterious world. Neither solid land nor water, the bog is a realm in between. A quaking mat of leatherleaf, sheep laurel, and sphagnum mosses floats on the surface of the ancient peat. A wooden floating boardwalk at the north-west corner of Ponkapoag Pond allows safe access among the hummocks and hollows of this Atlantic white cedar bog.
Thousands of years ago, a glacier scooped out the pond and bog, which then filled with melted ice. Poor drainage and the growth of mosses, ericaceous plants, grasses, and sedges con-tribute to the acidic conditions. Look along the boardwalk for carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews, which have adapted to capture insects to supplement their diet in this sterile en-vironment. Please use care in this protected, sensitive bog by staying on the boardwalk.
Rocky HilltopsThe hilltops of the Blue Hills range offer sweeping views of
the Boston basin, the harbor, and beyond. These summits are the remains of ancient volcanoes, which erupted 440 million years ago and then collapsed. Hikers climbing Great Blue Hill on the red dot trail will trace ancient lava flows that poured out of the volcano and quickly cooled into small crystalline rock on the surface. Millions of years later, during the last ice age, a glacier scraped and polished the hilltops leaving only a thin layer of soil.
Scrub oak, pitch pine, and blueberry shrubs can tolerate the dry, acidic soils on the hilltops. In early spring and fall, watch for hawks, turkey vultures, and other birds riding the air currents, winging gracefully over the hilltops on their seasonal migration. Over 160 bird species may be seen in the Blue Hills during the year, including the eastern towhee and prairie warbler, which favor the brushy hilltops.
Our Changing ForestThe Blue Hills Reservation is endowed with a wide variety
of tree species, providing a unique green oasis within sight of the Boston skyline. Mature oaks, hickories, and eastern white pine abound throughout the Blue Hills, many over 100 years old. Fire-adapted pitch pine and scrub oak provide import-ant habitat for wildlife on our rocky summits. Today, trees face a number of threats including invasive species such as gypsy moths, which when combined with periodic drought conditions have caused some tree mortality. The strength of the Blue Hills forest includes its overall diversity, which can provide resilience from environmental pressures and help to support a green future for the next generation.
A World of NatureThe scenery before you is the product of a variety of forces.
Geology, climate, soil, fires, logging, and farming have all shaped the delicate harmony of land and life you see today. Trails traverse many habitats: rocky summits, upland and bottomland forests, meadows, swamp and pond edges, vernal pools, and bogs.
The reservation supports a rich variety of native plants and animals, including 13 species listed as endan-gered or threatened in Massachusetts. Among these are small and declining populations of timber rattlesnakes and northern copperheads, which are native to the Blue Hills and are bene-ficial for the ecosystem. These shy animals avoid people and do not bite
unless provoked. Conservation of these endangered animals is a high priority for both DCR and MassWildlife. They are protected from any harm or harassment under state law. Stay on trails, respect trail closures, keep pets leashed, and avoid any wildlife—including snakes—you may encounter.
A diversity of wildlife finds suitable habitat—food, water, shelter, and space—among the mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers of the reservation. The habitat and the season of the year play a large role in determining what you will observe as you walk the trails. Nature has its patterns. Note how plant and animal life change as you travel from the moist lowlands to the drier, wind-blown summits.
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Charles Eliot, c. 1892 (1859–1897)
“…crowded populations, if they would live in health and happiness, must have space for air, for light, for exercise, for rest, and for the enjoyment of that peaceful beauty of nature which…is so wonderfully refreshing to the tired souls of townspeople.”
—CH ARLES EL I OT
Report of the Board of Metropolitan Park Commissioners, January 1893
Ski (Cross-country) or snowshoe on trails throughout the reservation when there is sufficient snow cover. A free Cross-Country Ski Routes brochure is available at the Reservation Headquarters.
Ski (Downhill) or snowboard at the William F. Rogers Ski Area on Great Blue Hill on Route 138 in Canton. Equipment rentals and instructional classes are available. Visit www.bluehillsboston.com or call (781) 828-5070.
Swim at Houghton’s Pond beach with DCR lifeguard supervision during the summer season. The pond and picnic areas are very popular, especially on weekends. Parking is limited; ride sharing is encouraged. Seasonal restrooms, outdoor showers, and changing stalls are provided.
TrailWatch is an all-volunteer organization of concerned recreational trail users whose goal is to promote safe and cooperative trail use by acting as an educational liaison between reservation managers and the public. For information, call (617) 698-1802.
YMCA Camp at Ponkapoag Outdoor Center hosts a children’s summer camp located near Ponkapoag Bog. Camp facilities include a lodge, outdoor swimming pool, pavilions, and activity fields. Visit www.ymcaboston.org or call (781) 575-9905.
Norman Smith Environmental Education Center is managed by Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum. The Environmental Education Center hosts programs year-round including Blue Hills Summer Camp. The facility is also available for rentals and overnights by businesses and groups, featuring an industrial kitchen, dormitories, a large meeting space, beautiful views atop scenic Chickatawbut Hill, and access to numerous trails. Visit www.massaudubon.org/bluehills or call (617) 333-0690.
Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available at Houghton’s Pond and Chickatawbut Overlook. Picnic sites at Houghton’s Pond are in great demand during the summer—plan accordingly. Permits are required for groups of 25 or more persons. For group picnic site reservations at Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area, visit ReserveAmerica at www.reserveamerica.com or call (877) 422-6762.
Rock Climb at the Quincy Quarries Historic Site on Ricciuti Drive in Quincy. Proper safety equipment is required.
Scenic Viewing from the Eliot Memorial Observation Tower atop Great Blue Hill is outstanding. The tower boasts a panoramic view of Boston and the surrounding area, accessible via the hiking and biking trails. Chickatawbut Overlook on Chickatawbut Road features a striking view of the Boston skyline; the area is accessible by car, with a parking area and picnic tables.
Hike on 120 miles of scenic trails. Purchase a color trail map at the Reservation Headquarters or the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Trails are well-marked and suitable for a range of abilities, from novice to experienced hikers. Please dress appropriately and bring water on all hikes.
Horseback Riding is popular among equestrians from privately-owned stables. Many of the wider trails throughout the park are former carriage roads and are suitable for trail riding.
Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area, located at 840 Hillside Street in Milton, offers a number of park amenities. A small, free visitor center features park information and exhibits highlighting the human history of the Blue Hills. Accessible restroom facilities are provided year-round. The recreation area also includes a playground, park benches, and a seasonal food concession. The visitor center overlooks Marigold Marsh, accessible from a boardwalk and viewing platforms with interpretive signage. The supervised swimming beach, picnic areas, and trails are very popular features, especially in summer.
Ice Skate at a DCR skating rink in the Blue Hills. For the William T. Shea Rink in Quincy, call (617) 512-8402. For the Max Ulin Rink in Milton, call (617) 696-9869.
Mountain Bike in designated areas of the reservation. Please respect “No Mountain Bicycling” signs in restricted areas and the seasonal closure of bike trails during the month of March to limit trail impacts during mud season. Stop by Reservation Headquarters to pick up a mountain bike map or visit www.mass.gov/dcr for information.
Brookwood Community Farm, through a community-supported agriculture model, grows produce using organic methods and provides on-farm educational and community-building opportunities. The farm also actively supports local food access projects. Visit brookwoodcommunityfarm.org for more information.
Camp year-round only at the Appalachian Mountain Club cabins on Ponkapoag Pond. Advance reservations are required. Visit www.outdoors.org or call (781) 961-7007 for reservations and information.
Educational & Recreational Programs are offered by DCR park rangers year-round. Look for program schedules posted on park bulletin boards, visit www.mass.gov/dcr/programs or call (617) 698-1802 for details on these free programs.
Fish in the reservation’s ponds including Houghton’s Pond, Ponkapoag Pond, St. Moritz Ponds, Hillside Pond, the Blue Hill Reservoir, and Pine Tree Brook. Houghton’s Pond and Pine Tree Brook are stocked seasonally with trout. A state fishing license is required.
Visit www.mass.gov/dfw/fishing for more information.
Friends of the Blue Hills is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in the 1970s to protect and preserve the Blue Hills Reservation. For information about free family events and trail maintenance opportunities, visit www.friendsofthebluehills.org or call (781) 828-1805.
Golf at Ponkapoag Golf Course, which features two 18-hole courses on Route 138 in Canton, 3/4 mile south of Route 93. In addition, there is a driving range, putting green, golf carts, snack bar, and pro shop. Lessons, season passes, and gift certificates are available. Call (781) 828-4242.
Enjoying the ReservationBlue Hills Reservation Headquarters is located at 695 Hillside Street in Milton, 1/4 mile north of Houghton’s Pond, beside the State Police Station. A self-service information station provides trail maps for sale, park brochures and information, and a unisex restroom, open year-round. Visitor parking is available, limited to 10 minutes only. Please stop by or call (617) 698-1802 for park information.
Athletic Fields are located on the southeast side of Houghton’s Pond. Three fields are available. For reservations, visit www.mass.gov/how-to/athletic-field-scheduling or call (617) 626-4913.
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center is perched atop the summit of Great Blue Hill and has maintained a continuous weather record since 1885. Educational programs and tours are offered for a fee. This National Historic Landmark also features a gift shop with weather-related items and souvenirs as well as beverages and trail snacks for sale. Visit www.bluehill.org or call (617) 696-0562.
Blue Hills Trailside Museum serves as the interpretive center for the Blue Hills Reservation and is operated by Mass Audubon. Interior and exterior exhibits highlight the habitats and wildlife of the park. A variety of rescued native wildlife call Trailside home and now serve important roles as environmental ambassadors. Before hiking up the red dot trail to the Eliot Tower, head inside the museum to visit the animals, learn more about the park and upcoming programs, and purchase a trail map and snacks in the gift shop. A small admission fee is charged for the museum exhibits; entry is free for members of Mass Audubon. A wide variety of programs for all ages and abilities are offered. Please, no pets or smoking on museum grounds. Visit www.massaudubon.org/bluehills or call (617) 333-0690.
Boat on Ponkapoag Pond, launching at Fisherman’s Beach on Randolph Street in Canton. Non-motorized car-top boats only. For boating on the Neponset River, visit www.neponset.org for their Neponset River Paddler’s Guide listing launch sites.
A Precious Resource…We ask that you extend special respect to the parkland:
• Keep pets leashed at all times and remove all pet waste.• Stay on marked trails for your own safety, and to avoid
disturbing sensitive habitats and wildlife.• Leave no trace. Carry out all that you carry in.• Leave plants and animals undisturbed.• Note that all rare species are protected under state law
from any harm, removal, or harassment.
Go Green to the Blue Hills!Public transportation and ride sharing are strongly
encouraged. Public parking is limited—expect heavy use, especially on weekends, and plan accordingly.
The Blue Hills Reservation is serviced by three main MBTA bus lines. Schedules vary. For more information, visit www.mbta.com or call the MBTA at (800) 392-6100.
• West Area (Trailside Museum, Blue Hills Ski Area, Great Blue Hill, and Houghton’s Pond): Take the Mattapan Station–Cobbs Corner (Canton) bus, Route 716 (this route has an unusual schedule—see website)
• Central Area (Chickatawbut Overlook): Take the Ashmont Station–Avon Square bus, Route 240
• East Area (St. Moritz Ponds and Shea Rink): Take the Quincy Center–Holbrook/Randolph bus, Route 238
Important Contacts:DCR Blue Hills Reservation · 695 Hillside Street, Milton, MA 02186 · (617) 698-1802
DCR 24-hour Radio Dispatch: (508) 820-1428
Blue Hills Trailside Museum: (617) 333-0690
Comments and concerns: please contact DCR Community Relations at mass.parks@mass.gov or call (617) 626-4973
For accessibility details, call DCR at (617) 698-1802
Check DCR website for updates: www.mass.gov/dcr
In case of emergency, call 911 or contact the State Police Milton Barracks at (617) 698-5840
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Enjoying the view from Eliot Tower
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Civilian Conservation Corps workers, c. 1934
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Gr e a t C
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Blue Hill River
Blue Hill River
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St. MoritzPonds
Spra
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RussellPond
Hem
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Ne p
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N e p on
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R i ve r
Pine Tree Brook
Furnace Brook
Furnace Brook
Bouncing Brook
Blue Hill River
Balster Brook
Balster Brook
Pine Tree Brook
Mother Brook
Pecunit Brook
BrookPonkapoag
Ponkapoag Brook
Trout Brook
Farm River
Che
stnut
Run
Course 1
Course 2
LittleBlue Hill
331 ft
WampatuckHill 353 ft
RattlesnakeHill 312 ft
Little Dome202 ft
Great Dome251 ft
Fox Hill322 ft
NahantonHill 477 ft
KitchamakinHill 463 ft
Hawk Hill432 ft
FennoHill
494 ft
ChickatawbutHill 512 ft
Tucker Hill441 ft
South BoyceHill 396 ft
N. BoyceHill 397 ft
Burnt Hill344 ft
Buck Hill493 ft
Breeze Hill290 ft
WolcottHill 465 ft
HoughtonHill 427 ft
HemenwayHill 473 ft
HancockHill506 ft
GreatBlue Hill
635 ft
Wren Terrace
Woo
d Road
Washington St.
Turner Road
Sunset DriveSilver Brook Road
Sherman Lane
Sassamon Avenue
Salem St.
Royall Street
Ridley Road
Ridgewood Road
Ricciuti Drive
Purg
atory Road
O’Connell
Ave.
Oak Street
Nahanton Avenue
MullinAvenue
Milton Street
Mea
dow R
oad
Lorayne Drive
Larry Pl.
KC Farm Road
Homans Lane
Hillside Stre
et
Hemlock Drive
Hele
ne S
t.
Harrison Road
Harland Street
Harland Street
Grove St.
Green Lodge Street
Green Lane
Forest Street
Forest Avenue
Fawn Circle
Farrington Lane
Farm Street
DouglasSt.
Dollar Lane
Cynthia Road
Connolly Street
Carisbrooke
Rd.
Carberry Lane
CantonStreet
Bunker Hill
Lane
Brush Hill Road
Brush Hill
Road
Bridle Path
Blue Hill Drive
BatesAve.
Adel
e
Road
Glenwood Ave.Faraday St.
Wake�eld
Ave.
West St.
Pres
cott
Stre
etHy
de P
ark A
venu
e
Cli�
ord
St.
Russ
St.
Ames Street
Highland Street
Roya
ll Lan
eGreen Street
Beacon Lane
Park Street Malden St.
Beverly St.
Governor Stoughton Lane
Willard
St.
Will
ard
Stre
et
Will
ard
Str
eet
West Street
West MiltonStreet
StreetW
ashington
Was
hing
ton
Stre
et
Was
hing
ton
Stre
et
Univ
ersit
y Av
enue
Turnpike Street
Spra
gueSt
reet
Scanlon Drive
River St.
Reed Street
Randolph Street
Randolph Avenue
Aven
ueRa
ndol
ph
Pond Stre
et
North StreetN. M
ain Street
Milton Street
Milt
onSt
reet
Hyd
e Pa
rk A
venu
e
Hig
h St
reet
Granite St.
Dedham Street
Canton Street
Canton Avenue
Blue
Hill
Ave
nue
N. M
ain St.
Chestn
ut Stre
et
Pond
Street
Copeland St.
Canto
n Avenue
SpragueStreet
EXIT 13
EXIT 8
EXIT 6
EXIT 5
EXIT 4
EXIT 3EXIT 2
EXIT 1
95
95
93
93
93
138
138
128
37
28
28
24
Wam
patu
ck
Roa
d
Unquity Road
Unquity Road
Truman Parkw
ay
Trum
an H
ighw
ay
Ponkapoag
Trail
Valley Parkway
Neponset
Neponset Valley Parkway
Hillsid
e S
t.
Gree
n S
treet
Brook RotaryFurnace
Parkway
Furnace Brook
Furnace Brook
Par
kway
Chickatawbut Road
Chick
atawbut Road
Blue Hill River Road
Park
way
Blue
Hill
s
Blue Hill River Road
Nepo
nset
Ri
ver
Gre
enw
ay
Sw
amp Trail
Skyline
Pipe L
ine
Orc
hard
Tra
il
Moulton Path
K Path
Green
Hill
Path
Fowl Meadow Path
Field Path
Cosmos Path
Burm
a R
oad
Burm
a Ro
ad
Thre
e Pines Path
Smith Trail
Redman Farm Path
Redm
an
Far
m
Pat
h
Ponk
apoag Tr
ail
Ponkapoag Trail
Ponkapoag Path
Pipe
Lin
e
Pastu
re Road
No Name Path
Middle Road
Middle Street
Meadow Road
Maple Avenue
Madden Road
Hem
lockRoad
Boardwalk
Acton Path
Acton Pat
h
Acton Path
SkylineSkyli
ne
Shor
t Path
Sawcut Notch
Path
Sawcut Notch
Path
Ridge Path
Quarries Foot
Path
Pipe
Line
Pipe Line
Pipe
Lin
e
Pine Tree B rook PathPasture Run
Old Furnace Brook Path
Mur
phy
Path
Indian Camp Path
Headquart
ers
Path
Fox Hill Path
Crags Foot Path
Crags Foot Path
Cedar Rock Path
Wood Path
Wam
patuck
Pat
h
Streamsid
e Edge Path
Squa maug Notch Path
Squamaug Notch Path
Slide Notch
Path
Skyline
Skyline
Savoy P
ath
Sassaman Notch PathSassaman Notch Path
Pipe Line
Lee P
ath
Laurel Path
Hemlock Path
Hawk H
ill
Path
Glover Path
Curv
e
Path
Branch Path
Braintree Pass Path
Braintree Pass Path
Bouncing
Brook
P
ath
Barberry Bush Spring Trail
Path
Broo
k
Boun
cingTucker H
ill Path
Skyline
Skyline
Pipe
Lin
e
Pig Rock Path
Old Route 128
Oblique Path
Monatiqu
ot P
ath
Headquarters
Path
Headq
uarte
rsPa
th
Forest Path
Forest Path
Fells Path
Doe
Hol
low
Pat
h
Dark H
ollow Path
Burnt H
ill P
ath
Bugbee Path
Bugbee P ath
Buck Hill Sum
mit Trail
Buck Hill Path
Beech Hollow Path
Athol Path
Angle Path
(Closed in winter)
Wolcott Path
Wolcott Path
Wildcat Notch Path
Wild
cat
N
otch
Pat
h
Valle
y Pa
thSum
mit Road
Skyline (south branch)
Skyline
(north
branch)
Skyline
Rotch PathPuddle Path
Je�rie
s Trail
Houghton Path
Hemenway Hill P
ath
Hancock
Hill
Pa
th
Half
Way Path
Five
Cor
ners
Pat
hEu
stis T
rail
Elio
t Cir.
Raccoon Hollow Path
Racc
oon HollowPath
Chestnut Run Path
Carberry Path
Brookwood Trail
Brea
knec
k
Ledge
Path
Border PathBorder Path
Base Path
Bartol Path
Accord Path
win
ter
Clos
ed in
716
ToMattapan
Station(see bus
schedule)
716
To CobbsCorner (seebus schedule)
240
ToAshmontStation
240
ToAvon
Square
238
To QuincyCenter
Station
238
ToHolbrook/Randolph
Commuter Rail Station
See busschedule
See busschedule
1904 Canton Ave.@ Trailside Museum
(see bus schedule)
See busschedule
Randolph Ave.@ Highland St.
Randolph Ave.@ Chickatawbut Rd.
N. Main St.@ Russ St./
Scanlon Dr.
Willard St.@ Ames St.
Willard St.@ Copeland St.
Hyde Park Ave.@ Wolcott Square
Truman Hwy.@ Wake�eld Ave.
ROUTE 128
READVILLE
CAMP SAYREBOY SCOUTSOF AMERICA
DCR MARTINI SHELLPARK & MOYNIHANRECREATION AREA
DCR STONY BROOKRESERVATION
DCR MOTHER BROOKRESERVATION
DCRCAMPMEIGS
DCR COLELLAPLAYGROUND
FARNHAM-CONNOLLYSTATE PARK (DCRNEPONSET RIVER
RESERVATION)
DCR NEPONSETRIVER RESERVATION
PAUL’SBRIDGE
FOWL MEADOW(DCR NEPONSET RIVER
RESERVATION)
GOLFCLUBHOUSE
PONKAPOAGGOLF COURSE
YMCACAMP
PONKAPOAG
AMC CAMPENTRANCE
AMCPONKAPOAG
CAMP
FISHERMAN’SBEACH
CCCCAMP
CHICKATAWBUT OVERLOOK
SHEARINK
QUINCYQUARRIES
HISTORIC SITE
NORMAN SMITHENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION CENTER
CHICKATAWBUTTOWER
VISITORCENTER
ATHLETICFIELDS
BATHHOUSE
TRAILSIDEMUSEUM
ELIOTTOWER
WEATHEROBSERVATORY
WILLIAMF. ROGERSSKI AREA
BROOKWOOD
FARM
ULINRINK
RESERVATIONHQ
6900
68966891
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ALTERNATEROUTE TOHOSPITAL
TO HOSPITALBETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MILTON
199 REEDSDALE ROAD · (617) 696-4600
DE
SIG
NE
D B
Y
D.
KIM
BA
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· D
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GIS
· A
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IL 2
02
0
R U L E S A N D R E G U L A T I O N S
Park open dawn to dusk.
For the protection and enjoyment of the Blue Hills, the following are prohibited: • Littering • Open �res • Metal detectors • Alcoholic beverages • Pets, except on a leash • Hunting or trapping • Posting or distributing lea�ets • Camping, except at AMC Camp with permit • Motorized vehicles, except on public roads • Disruptive conduct, including public nudity • Group use of 25 or more, except with a DCR permit • Destruction or removal of vegetation, animals,
structures, artifacts, or other State property
In addition, the following activities are allowed in designated areas only: • Parking • Sporting activities • Mountain bicycling • Charcoal grills or fuel stoves • Non-motorized boating at Ponkapoag Pond • Swimming at Houghton’s Pond with lifeguard
supervision
All visitors must follow directions of park personnel or police. Any violations of these regulations may result in arrest and/or �ne per order of 302 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulations 12.00.
N O T E : M A P I N K C O L O R S M A Y F A D E W H E N E X P O S E D T O S U N L I G H T . P R I N T E D W I T H S O Y I N K O N R E C Y C L E D P A P E R .
Yellow triangles mark this hilly loop in the Great Blue Hill section. It provides a rocky, rugged experience for the advanced mountain biker or avid hiker.
4.5 miles · challengingBreakneck Ledge Loop
White triangles mark this rambling loop in the Houghton’s Pond section. It o�ers a long woodland hike or novice-to-intermediate mountain bike ride.
6 miles · moderateForest Path Loop
Directional loop trails are marked with triangles, and both loops begin and end at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot. �ese are designed as rolling routes for a fun mountain bike ride or long woodland hike. �e trails are marked in one direction only and are to be followed counterclockwise.
D I R E C T I O N A L L O O P S
Red dots mark rugged, rocky loops over hilly terrain providing a more challenging hike.
1.3–3.8 miles · 1–2.25 hours · challengingRed Dot Loops
Green dots mark several woodland loops which allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the reservation.
2.7–4.25 miles · 2–2.25 hours · moderateGreen Dot Loops
Yellow dots mark short loops which enable you to enjoy parts of the reservation in a small amount of time.
0.6–1 mile · 1 hour · easyYellow Dot Loops
Loop trails are marked with dots. �ey begin and end at the same point, at designated parking areas as marked on the map.
L O O P T R A I L S
Skyline Loop Trail is a popular sampling of the Skyline Trail. It links the north and south branches of the Skyline Trail between the Reservation Headquarters and Eliot Observation Tower atop Great Blue Hill. �is challenging route summits �ve hilltops over steep, rocky terrain. Follow the blue blazes from the headquarters, heading west toward Great Blue Hill. 2.6 miles · 2 to 2.5 hours · di�cult
Skyline Traverse travels an east-west route across the Blue Hills range. �is is the longest and most challenging hike in the park, with steep and rocky terrain. �is is not a loop trail so plan your transportation back to your starting point. 7.5 miles · 4 to 7 hours · di�cult
�e Skyline Trail crosses the length of the reservation and is marked with blue rectangular blazes. �e trail climbs many of the peaks of the Blue Hills range, o�ering spectacular views over steep and rugged terrain.
�ere are two ways to explore the Skyline Trail:
S K Y L I N E
S TAY O N D C R - D E S I G N AT E D T R A I L S F O R S A F E T Y A N D R E S O U R C E P R OT E C T I O N .
�e four-digit numbers seen on the map indicate trail intersections. Look for the small white signs with black numbers on trees or posts along trails. Find the corresponding number on the map to determine your location.
1186
I N T E R S E C T I O N N U M B E R S
Bridge
Boardwalk
Bicycle Path
Paved Path
Paved Road
Unpaved Road
Wide Trail
Narrow TrailR E S E R V A T I O N R O A D S A N D T R A I L S
Other State Parkland
Blue Hills Reservation
Town Boundary
Hilltop (with elevation)427 ft
Elevation Contours(20 foot interval)
WetlandWetland
Pond
Intermittent Stream
Stream
240MBTA Bus Stop
Train Station
State Police
Building Footprint(within reservation)
Athletic Field/Court
Skating Rink
Canoe Launch
Snack Bar, Picnic Area
Playground
Swimming (seasonal)
Parking Area (large, small)
Restroom (year-round, seasonal)
Tennis, Basketball
Reservation Headquarters D A T A S O U R C E S : M A S S G I S ; D C R G I S ; D C R F O R E S T R Y ;
M A S S P A R K S ; D C R B U R E A U O F P L A N N I N G , D E S I G N & R E S O U R C E P R O T E C T I O N ;
M A S S A U D U B O N ’ S B L U E H I L L S T R A I L S I D E M U S E U M ;
F R I E N D S O F T H E B L U E H I L L S ; E S R I ; F E M A ; U S G S
Blue Hills Reservation has over 120 miles of trails, including 40+ miles of recommended color-coded routes for easier navigation. �ese trails are blazed with painted markings that correspond to the map symbols listed to the right.
L E G E N D
Magnetic
14.58° (2018)
MA State Plane NAD83
P R O J E C T I O N : M A S S A C H U S E T T S S T A T E P L A N E N A D 8 3 M E T E R S
1 I N C H = 1 ,400 F E E T
1 : 16 ,800S C A L E
F E E T
1 ,000 2,000
M I L E S
¼ ½
blue hillsreservation
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